What Bitwala does

Bitwala is a Berlin-based mobile cryptocurrency wallet and payments platform that serves European retail users who prioritize direct ownership of Bitcoin and Ethereum. The core product is a self-custody wallet built on Multi-Party Computation (MPC) architecture, with private keys split between the user's device and Bitwala's server, eliminating the need for seed phrases while preserving non-custodial control. The Bitcoin Vault is delivered through a partnership with BitGo, and the platform supports BTC, ETH, USDC, and euros alongside an integrated Visa debit card (issued with Wallester AS) and a virtual IBAN (with Lightspark Payments Europe AS) for SEPA transfers. Revenue is generated through trading fees on crypto buy/sell (including a Savings Plan tier at 0.20€ + 1% per transaction), Visa card interchange and issuance fees, and a forthcoming Bitcoin-collateralized loan product priced at 7% flat interest with smart-contract-held collateral. Customers download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store, self-onboard via KYC (IDNow), and either buy/spend crypto or enroll in automated Dollar-Cost Averaging; there is no sales team, with distribution handled entirely through app stores, content marketing, a Curve co-marketing partnership, and tokenized-equity community building via the BWALA token on Tokenize.it.

Name

Bitwala

Legal name

Bitwala GmbH

Website

https://bitwala.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bitwala is a Berlin-based mobile self-custody crypto wallet and Visa card platform serving European Bitcoin holders, freelancers, and crypto-accepting businesses, monetizing via trading fees, card interchange, and Bitcoin-backed loans under MiCA regulation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cryptocurrency Wallet Platform

NAICS

Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320), Credit Card Issuing (52221)

SIC

Finance Services (6199), Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

Crypto Payments & Stablecoin Settlement Platforms (BPAMAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

On/Off-Ramp Providers (Fiat↔Crypto) & Cash-In/Cash-Out Networks (FSADAIAE), Crypto Payment Gateways & Checkout APIs (FSADAIAA)

Keywords

• Self-custody crypto wallet
• Crypto debit card
• Bitcoin savings plan
• Cryptocurrency trading
• Tokenized equity offering

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Crypto Trading Fees: Bitwala charges trading fees on buy/sell transactions of Bitcoin, Ether, and USDC. Savings Plan users pay 0.20€ base fee + 1% per transaction, or a best-in-market 1% flat fee for daily purchases of at least €20. Standard trading fees apply for non-savings-plan transactions.
2. Visa Card Fees: Revenue generated from card-related services including issuance and transaction fees, provided in cooperation with Wallester AS. The company also earns interchange revenue on card transactions.
3. Network/Blockchain Fees (passed through): On-chain transaction fees (mining fees for Bitcoin, gas for Ethereum) are collected from users on withdrawals. These are passed through to the respective blockchain network and are not Bitwala revenue.
4. Token Sale / Equity Investment: Bitwala sells tokenized equity (BWALA token) via Tokenize.it, a regulated German security token platform. Minimum investment from €50, with €2,000,000 already invested and over 70 professional investors. Tokens carry 1:1 equity conversion rights and dividend entitlements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Bitwala is a Germany-based mobile cryptocurrency platform offering self-custody wallets for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC backed by Multi-Party Computation (MPC) technology, paired with an integrated Visa debit card for real-world spending and SEPA transfers. The platform also enables 24/7 crypto trading, automated recurring purchases through a Dollar-Cost Averaging Savings Plan, and the BWALA token as a tokenized equity investment vehicle. The service is delivered entirely through a self-serve mobile app available on iOS and Android.

Product overview

Bitwala is a Germany-based mobile cryptocurrency wallet and banking platform offering a unified suite of self-custody crypto services. The core platform centers on the Bitcoin Wallet & Visa Card app, which combines MPC-based self-custodial Crypto Vaults (Bitcoin Vault via BitGo partnership and Ethereum Vault) with integrated Visa debit card functionality for real-world spending. Additional modules include a Bitcoin-backed loan feature (via smart contracts), crypto trading (24/7 buying/selling of BTC, ETH, USDC), a Savings Plan for automated DCA investing, a Virtual IBAN for SEPA fiat deposits, and the Bitwala Token for tokenized equity investment. The ecosystem also includes educational content (Learn section) and a blog for company updates. The platform operates under strict self-custody principles, with users maintaining full control of their private keys and a track record of zero hacks since 2014, processing over €3 billion in transaction volume across 150K+ users.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BWALA Token: Tokenized equity offering allowing investment in Bitwala from €50, providing dividends from real revenue and potential 1:1 conversion to equity shares.

Products and services

• Crypto Vault (MPC Self-Custody Wallet) Multi-Party Computation wallet splitting private keys between the user's phone and Bitwala's server. Both encrypted halves are required to move crypto, eliminating the need for a seed phrase and reducing single-point-of-failure risk. Built for individual crypto holders who want true ownership without seed-phrase management.
• Bitcoin Vault Self-custodial Bitcoin wallet provided through BitGo partnership, allowing users to store, send, and receive Bitcoin with private key control. Users enter into a direct agreement with BitGo for private key management.
• Ethereum Vault Self-custodial Ethereum wallet allowing users to store, send, and receive Ether with seed phrase-based key recovery.
• Visa Debit Card Physical and virtual Visa debit card enabling users to spend Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, and Euros at any Visa acceptance point worldwide and withdraw cash at ATMs. Card issued in cooperation with Wallester AS.
• Crypto Trading 24/7 cryptocurrency exchange service enabling instant buying and selling of Bitcoin, Ether, and USDC within the Bitwala mobile app, with low trading fees.
• Savings Plan Automated recurring purchase feature for Bitcoin and Ethereum implementing a Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) strategy. Users choose frequency and amount; trades execute automatically with a 0.20 EUR base fee plus 1% per transaction, or a 1% flat fee for daily purchases of EUR 20 or more.
• BWALA Token (Tokenized Equity) Tokenized equity offering allowing investment in Bitwala from EUR 50 to EUR 200,000 per person, with potential dividends from company profits and 1:1 conversion rights to equity shares. Tokens are ERC20 on Gnosis Chain, with secondary market expected via Tokenize.it.
• Virtual IBAN Virtual International Bank Account Number enabling fiat currency deposits and withdrawals via SEPA transfers, provided through partnership with Lightspark Payments Europe AS. Supports instant bank transfers tied to user wallets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero hacks since 2014 across 150K+ users and €3B+ in transaction volume
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BitGo, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationBitGo provides the Bitcoin Vault (self-custody Bitcoin wallet) infrastructure for Bitwala. Customers enter into a direct agreement with BitGo for private key management of their Bitcoin. The Bitcoin Vault uses BitGo's institutional custody technology while maintaining self-custody principles.
• Lightspark Payments Europe AScoreTechnology or IntegrationLightspark provides custodial wallets, virtual asset exchange services, and virtual IBAN issuing for fiat currency deposits and withdrawals. Bitwala acts as a data processor while Lightspark is the data controller for these services. Regulated under Estonian law (registry code: 16298772, Sepapaja 6, Tallinn, Estonia).
• Wallester AScoreTechnology or IntegrationWallester provides payment card issuing and transaction services for the Bitwala Visa card. Wallester is the data controller for payment card-related personal data processing. Registered in Estonia (registry code: 11812881, F.R. Kreutzwaldi 4, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia).
• CurveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCurve is a digital wallet platform that allows users to add Bitwala as a card within the Curve app, enabling Apple Pay support for Bitwala card users and 30-day 1% cashback promotion. Curve users can connect their Bitwala card to Google Pay or Apple Wallet through Curve.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Relai: Swiss-based Bitcoin-only self-custody app with built-in purchases and recurring buys. Closest direct peer to Bitwala — both target European Bitcoin pragmatists with a simple, non-casino mobile-first wallet and DCA savings plans.
• Wirex: UK-headquartered crypto payments platform offering a Visa debit card for spending multiple crypto assets with fiat conversion. Directly comparable to Bitwala's wallet-plus-Visa-card proposition for European retail and freelancer users.
• Swan Bitcoin: US-based Bitcoin-only platform focused on automated DCA savings and self-custody withdrawal. Shares Bitwala's Bitcoin-pragmatist thesis, recurring-purchase product, and emphasis on real ownership over speculative altcoin trading.
• Ledger: France-based hardware and software self-custody wallet provider. Competes with Bitwala on the self-custody thesis, particularly among European users who want true ownership of private keys.
• Trust Wallet: Binance-owned self-custody multi-chain wallet with built-in DEX and on-ramp. Competes for European users wanting a non-custodial wallet experience, though broader in asset support.

Broad incumbents

• Crypto.com: Global crypto exchange with a Visa card program, self-custody app, and lending products. A much larger incumbent competing for the same crypto-spending customer with overlapping wallet, card, and savings functionality.
• Coinbase: Largest US-regulated crypto exchange offering wallet, card, staking, and on/off-ramps. Competes with Bitwala for European retail users seeking a regulated crypto platform and competes on regulatory credibility post-MiCA.
• Cash App: Block Inc.'s consumer fintech app with built-in Bitcoin buy/sell and a debit card. Competes for the same pragmatic, mainstream Bitcoin buyer persona and is expanding into EU markets.

Emerging players

• MoonPay: Crypto payments infrastructure provider offering fiat-to-crypto on/off-ramps and card issuance APIs. Comparable as a payments-rails partner competing for the same on-ramp and Visa-issuing functions Bitwala relies on, with overlapping customer wallets.

Regional players

• 21Shares: Swiss crypto asset manager offering Bitcoin/Ethereum ETPs and on-chain products across Europe. Comparable as a MiCA-aligned European crypto brand competing for the same institutional and retail capital looking for regulated crypto exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bitwala
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bitwala
• Facebookfacebook.com/Bitwala

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bitwala